Caruana goal stuns Stripes

Birkirkara 0
Floriana 1

Substitute Christian Caruana's finish, deep into stoppage time, earned Floriana an unbelievable last-gasp win over Birkirkara who will ruefully look back at some missed chances in a low-key match.

Roddy Collins must have rapped his boys heavily following the upset to Dingli in the previous outing but the Floriana coach must be considerably happier after pinching three unexpected points.

Often outclassed by their opponents, the Greens proved as stubborn as ever, however, leaving Stripes coach Paul Zammit and his team thoroughly frustrated. Wary not to suffer another upset, Collins adopted a very cautious approach, leaving the lion's share of possession to the opponents who were more eager to be creative.

Against this scenario, Floriana only needed one moment of clarity in the opposite goalmouth to secure all points.

In fact, a dreadful back pass by Joseph Zerafa at the death gave nippy midfielder Caruana a great opportunity as he pounced on the loose ball to slot the ball behind keeper Jorge Mora.

Football is full of surprises but it was difficult to understand yesterday why a player as gifted as Caruana could be left on the bench.

The way things turned out, he was the only one capable of finding a way through a midfield congested by Zammit's decision to name Sylvano Comvalius and Alan Tabone as substitutes.

In doing so, Birkirkara adopted a diamond formation with Paul Fenech playing the anchor role and George Mallia behind strikers Michael Galea and Angus Buhagiar.

Karl Pulo was given the roving role coming deep to receive the ball in a bid to pull the opposing defence out of position.

And, while Birkirkara have been scoring regularly in recent weeks, Floriana had managed only four goals in their previous five outings this season and appear to be lacking the required bite up front.

Collins attempted to change that by having Donovan Simmonds ploughing a lone furrow up front with Marlon Briffa and Sunday Wasiu playing just behind him.

But scoring chances were scarce in the opening half.

The chances Birkirkara had fell to Buhagiar.

First, Cilia met his searching cross at the far post but skied the shot well over the bar.

Then, towards the break, Buhagiar brought the first save of the match out of former Birkirkara keeper Bernard Paris when he moved into the opponents' box with lightning pace and managed to add a useful shot to the hustle he had offered.

Birkirkara's Mora was for much of the first half under-employed.

Collins must have given his players a lecture in being more positive during the interval because the Greens made a strong start to the second half.

In fact, on the hour mark, Simmonds forced Mora to a smart save when the goalkeeper got down to block his angled drive. However, it did little, though, to change the game's quality. Neither did Zammit's second-half substitutions.

Comvalius replaced Pulo. The Dutchman managed a shot, then disappeared.

Then, in came Tabone, who at least appeared positive as he took up Fenech's position, relieving the former Msida midfielder of his defensive duties and pushing him into a more attacking role.

Fenech, though, only managed an inventive looking pass and a close-range header at Paris's goal.

Floriana, perhaps buoyed by their successful resistance, opted to change their attack too.

In came Caruana for Wasiu. Little change as Floriana sat deep and Birkirkara toiled to create. Neither team wanted to win this one some may have thought.

But Floriana sensed their chance when deep into stoppage time, Birkirkara lost all sense of discipline and Zerafa attempted a dangerous back pass to Mora with Caruana in close pursuit.

The Floriana substitute took it quite brilliantly to slot the ball behind Mora.

Birkirkara J. Mora-6, A. Scicluna-6 (68' A. Tabone-5), N. Vukanac-6, B. Nisevic-6, S. Bajada-5.5 (82' J. Zerafa), P. Fenech-7, G. Mallia-6, K. Pulo-5 (52' S. Comvalius-5.5), A. Buhagiar-6.5, T. Cilia-6, M. Galea-5.

Floriana B. Paris-6, C. Ciantar-6, B. Said-8, M. Briffa-6.5, P. Doffo-6, L. Agius-5 (66' R. Brincat), D. Simmonds-6, O. Anonam-6, A.S. Wasiu-5.5 (72' C. Caruana), D. Pisani-6, O. Bugeja-6.

Scorer Caruana 90 (Floriana)

Referee Andre Arciola.

Yellow cards Vukanac, Ciantar, Anonam.

BoV player of the match Brian Said (Floriana).